Lafcadio's Adventures Summary

Summary

A complex novel of contrapuntal development, Lafcadio’s Adventures is divided into four interrelated parts. In the first book, André Gide introduces the reader to a scholarly—indeed pedantic—freethinker and would-be scientist. Anthime Armand-Dubois, crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, is physically grotesque yet intellectually vigorous. Because of his misshapen body, he retreats into abstruse scientific research. Unlike his pious Catholic wife, Veronica, Anthime is driven in his studies to demolish the religious superstructure that, in his judgment, obscures reason and promotes superstition. A Freemason, he plans to publish in scientific journals his minor, often cruel, experiments involving animal vivisection and abuse. Then suddenly, he experiences a religious conversion. After his young niece prays for the forgiveness of his sins, Anthime has a vision of the Virgin; coming to his senses, he appears to be healed from his pain, throws away his crutch, and swears devotion to the Church.

In book 2, Gide treats the sophisticated, somewhat smug novelist, Julius de Baraglioul, who has just received a troubling letter from his distinguished father, Juste-Agenor de Baraglioul. The dying gentleman wants Julius to report to him information concerning the actions and intentions of a young stranger, Lafcadio Wluiki. With some misgivings, Julius visits Lafcadio’s shabby lodgings, reads the youth’s enigmatic diary, then is startled by the arrival of Lafcadio himself. Shortly thereafter, the two men, of vastly different temperaments and stations in life, discover their link to each other: They are half brothers.